Vehicle monitoring system

Abstract

To manage a fleet of vehicles efficiently, data is obtained concerning vehicle condition; some of this data is recorded in a data packet format on a vehicle and transmitted by radio from the vehicles to a base station, and under some circumstances, transmitted by the internet to a central data station where it is used to determine what should be done with the vehicles, such as for example to determine if the battery of a vehicle must be charged. The data may be transmitted from one vehicle to another vehicle before reaching the base station or the central data station. The data packets can indicate the vehicle to which the data applies, if the battery needs to be charged or replaced and can establish a priority schedule for the charging or replacement of the battery.

1 . A method of managing a fleet of vehicles, comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining data concerning vehicle condition;    recording at least some of the data in a data storage means on a vehicle;    formatting the data into a predetermined format;    transmitting the data by radio from at least some of the vehicles to a base station; and    using the data to determine what should be done with at least one of the vehicles.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  in which the step of using the data to determine what should be done with at least one of the vehicles includes using the data to determine when the battery of a vehicle must be charged.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  in which the base station stores data and transmits it to a central station.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  in which the data may be transmitted from one vehicle to another vehicle.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the formatted data includes an indication of the vehicle to which the data applies.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  in which the data includes temperature of a battery and the data is used to determine battery condition.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  in which the data is used to determine battery replacement priorities.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  in which the data stored on the vehicle is transmitted when a central station transmits a signal calling for transmission of the data from the vehicle.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  in which at least some of the data stored on the vehicle is periodically transmitted.  
   
   
       10 . A battery maintenance system, comprising: 
 means for obtaining data concerning vehicle condition;    means for recording at least some of the data in a data storage means on a vehicle;    means for formatting the data into a predetermined format;    means for transmitting the data by radio from at least some of the vehicles to a base station, whereby the data may be used to determine the time for maintenance operation; and    means for using the data to determine the time for the maintenance operation.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  in which the means for using the data to determine the time for the maintenance operation includes means for using the data to determine when the battery of a vehicle must be charged.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  further including a base station, wherein the base station includes means for storing data and transmitting it to a central station.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10  in which the vehicle includes means wherein data may be transmitted from one vehicle to another vehicle.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the formatted data includes an indication of the vehicle to which the data applies.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10  in which the data includes temperature of a battery and the data is used to determine battery condition.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 10  further including means for using the data to determine battery replacement priorities.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 10  further including means for transmitting the data stored on the vehicle is transmitted when a central station transmits a signal calling for transmission of the data from the vehicle.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 10  further including means for periodically transmitting at least some of the data stored on the vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . A battery operated vehicle, comprising: 
 means for moving the vehicle under the power of a battery;    a radio communication circuit mounted on the vehicle;    a data storage circuit mounted on the vehicle in electrical communication with the radio communication circuit; and    a programmable circucit mounted on the vehicle and in communication with the radio communication circuit and the data storage circuit for controlling the radio communication circuit and the data storage circuit wherein data words stored in the data storage circuit containing the data related to the operation of the vehicle are formatted by said programmable circuit to identify the vehicle and are transmitted by radio.    
   
   
       20 . A battery operated vehicle in accordance with  claim 19  wherein said programmable circuit includes means for storing data words transmitted to said radio communication circuit in said data storage circuit; said data words including an identification of a different vehicle.  
   
   
       21 . A battery operated vehicle in accordance with  claim 20  wherein said programmable circuit includes means for causing said data words including an identification of a different vehicle to be transmitted.  
   
   
       22 . A battery operated vehicle in accordance with  claim 19  further comprising at least one measuring device that measures characteristics of the vehicle.  
   
   
       23 . A battery operated vehicle in accordance with  claim 22  in which the at least one measuring device is a battery current measuring device.  
   
   
       24 . A battery operated vehicle in accordance with  claim 19  in which the programmable circuit is a microcontroller.  
   
   
       25 . A battery operated vehicle in accordance with  claim 19  in which the data words include an identification of the desired destination of the data words.  
   
   
       26 . A base station adapted to obtain data from a plurality of vehicles in a facility, comprising: 
 at least one radio transmission circuit;    at least one data storage circuit adapted to store data words having a vehicle identification within the data words and information concerning the condition of at least one component of the vehicle; and    at least one programmable circuit for controlling the data storage circuit and the radio transmission circuit; whereby the base station may obtain data about at least one vehicle for use in managing the vehicles.    
   
   
       27 . A base station in accordance with  claim 26  in which the data storage circuit and the programmable circuit are part of a personal computer.  
   
   
       28 . A base station in accordance with  claim 27  in which the personal computer includes a modem whereby several base stations may communicate with a central station for generating reports for managing vehicles in a plurality of facilities each including a base station.  
   
   
       29 . A battery maintenance system, comprising: 
 means for obtaining data concerning battery condition;    a data collecting and transmitting means near the battery;    means for recording at least some of the data in a data storage means associated with the data collecting and transmitting means;    means for formatting the data into a predetermined format;    means for transmitting the data by radio from at least one battery to a base station, whereby the data may be used to determine the time for maintenance operation; and    means for using the data to determine the time for the maintenance operation.    
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29  in which the means for using the data to determine the time for the maintenance operation includes means for using the data to determine when the battery must be charged.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 29  further including a base station, wherein the base station includes means for storing data and transmitting it to a central station.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 29  further including means wherein data may be transmitted from a stationary battery to a vehicle.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 29  further including means wherein the data may be transmitted from a stationary battery to another stationary battery.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 29  wherein the formatted data includes an indication of the battery to which the data applies.  
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 29  in which the data includes temperature of a battery and the data is used to determine battery condition.  
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 29  further including means for using the data to determine battery replacement priorities.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 29  further including means for transmitting the data stored in the storage means is transmitted when a central station transmits a signal calling for transmission of the data from the storage means.